Construction specialists, Watson Burton have once again demonstrated close ties to the sector by sponsoring a major industry award.

The Newcastle head-quartered firm is sponsoring the Value category in the Constructing Excellence in the North East Awards 2017, which will take place on June 16 at the Newcastle Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel.

The awards, now in their 13th year, are organised by Constructing Excellence North East (CENE) and recognise achievements in the region’s built environment.

The Value award will honour an initiative, project or series of projects that has focused on the value of facilities in use and the outcomes for owners and users. Winners will show how whole life cost and value has been considered from the outset, combining capital costs on construction with maintenance, operational and occupiers’ costs.

Additional award categories include: Young Achiever; Integration and Collaborative Working; People Development; Sustainability; Digital Construction; Innovation; Health, Safety and Wellbeing; Preservation and Rejuvenation; Client of the Year, SME of the Year, Outstanding Achievement; and Project of the Year.

Watson Burton are one of the most well-known legal names when it comes to providing advice to the construction sector. The well-established and widely-respected team has worked with some of the UK’s largest housebuilders, developers and contractors, providing advice to both private and public sector clients throughout the whole life cycle of projects.

Headed by partners Sarah Wilson and David Spires, the construction team have particular experience in mediation and adjudication as well as vast expertise in procurement, project documentation, risk analysis, problem solving and dispute resolution.

In conjunction with CENE, Watson Burton also co-host the monthly First Friday Club, a networking event for people in the construction industry or for those with an interest in the built environment, with the next event taking place at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Newcastle on March 3, 2017.

Sarah Wilson, partner in Watson Burton’s Construction team, commented: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Value category in this year’s Constructing Excellence North East Awards 2017. There are numerous companies in our region which are dedicated to ensuring that facilities are great places to live and work for owners and users and we’re looking forward to seeing their exciting new projects come to the fore this year.

“Watson Burton has a long-standing relationship with Constructing Excellence North East and we’re proud to be associated with this prestigious event, one that has become a real highlight in the construction industry’s calendar.”

Catriona Lingwood, CEO of Constructing Excellence in the North East, added: “We greatly value the continued support of the Construction Team at Watson Burton since the Awards’ inception in 2005. The Awards have grown immensely over the last 13 years and are now the highlight of the built environment calendar, showcasing all that is good about the people, organisations and projects in our industry.”